A blog discussing the macro forces shaping the global economy today and over the horizon. Popular topics include Globalization, Trade, Sustainability, Innovation, Technology, Healthcare and Supply Chain Logistics.

A blog discussing the macro forces shaping the global economy today and over the horizon.

Business Intelligence and Data for Decision Makers

Accurate and organized data is a requirement for today’s logistics manager.

Business intelligence such as on-time delivery performance, shipment management, payment accuracy, pricing models, customer service and real-time inventory management help to analyze the critical areas of the logistics network. Data allows for well-informed insights that leverage key business drivers, optimizing the logistics process.

My friend Lew, a newly hired logistics manager for a $25 million, multi-location electrical supply company, called on me recently to chat about the trials of his job. His boss challenged him to reduce the cost of transportation across all channels by 10 percent in 2019, and Lew understood that “challenge” was not really an option.

I suggested he take a look at the whole picture from the last couple of years, first with some charting that would provide a visual analysis of all of the costs associated with his transportation and logistics operation.

At that point I could help him develop a strategy going forward to best manage the transportation spend, increase carrier utilization, optimize supplier selection and begin to negotiate the savings he needed.

We needed to establish the right metrics and measurements for Lew to move forward. Clearly, the proper data would point us in the right direction.

Working blindfolded

Lew was embarrassed to tell me he only had access to one-third of the data he needed. In fact, he said that he was unaware of company revenue numbers, which were confidential. Without the information he needed to effectively do his job, Lew was essentially working blindfolded

Data drives decisions in the supply chain, and Lew’s company was missing out. With access to the proper data, Lew would have had information on how his logistics department was operating, and he would be able to create a proper logistics strategy that would meet his cost targets, improve customer service and maximize the return on investment for his company.

For logistics professionals like Lew, data is not a nice thing to have but the critical business intelligence needed to manage effectively.

While Lew was starved for data, the opposite may also be true. Some companies deal with so much data that it creates an overload situation, actually causing delays in execution with the familiar “paralysis-by-analysis” syndrome.

As in most business situations the answer lies in a balance – allowing companies to access data organized in a way that will allow people like Lew to make solid decisions based on strong data-driven insights. More data is not the answer.

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“More data is not the answer. Better data is the answer.”

Better data is the answer.

Managing complexity

As the global logistics network becomes more complex, data-driven tools are mission critical.

Logistics professionals with a strong ability to read, evaluate and understand data will make accurate and timely decisions.

Lew will be hard pressed to meet his 2019 cost reduction target. At the same time, his company management was missing opportunities to successfully integrate transportation and logistics into overall company strategy.

Their focus was short term. And without access to data that would drive business intelligence and analytics, their ability to meet operational, customer service and financial objectives will no doubt stay short term.